Container with unique handle configuration

ABSTRACT

A container includes a body having a continuous peripheral sidewall with a bottom that together define an interior receptacle. The peripheral sidewall has an exterior surface. The body has an axis which is vertically positioned when resting upon the bottom. A finger grip is provided, which is adapted to accommodate more that one finger. The finger grip is positioned on the exterior surface of the body at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the axis. The finger grip has an upper end and a lower end. A thumb rest is provided, which is adapted to accommodate a thumb. The thumb rest is positioned on the exterior surface of the body above and toward the upper end of the finger grip.

This application claims priority from Canadian Application Serial No. 2,515,885 filed Aug. 5, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container with a unique handle configuration and, in particular, a unique handle configuration which is easier to use by persons who are physically challenged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drinking containers have been developed for persons who are physically challenged. Examples of such drinking containers include: U.S. Pat. Des 347,547 (Heinrich 1994) entitled “Drinking cup for arthritic persons” and U.S. Pat. Des 427,013 (Knoebel 2000) entitled “Beverage container handle for the physically challenged”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a container, which includes a body having a continuous peripheral sidewall with a bottom that together define an interior receptacle. The peripheral sidewall has an exterior surface. The body has an axis which is vertically positioned when resting upon the bottom. A finger grip is provided, which is adapted to accommodate more that one finger. The finger grip is positioned on the exterior surface of the body at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the axis. The finger grip has an upper end and a lower end. A thumb rest is provided, which is adapted to accommodate a thumb. The thumb rest is positioned on the exterior surface of the body above and toward the upper end of the finger grip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a right handed drinking container fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a left handed drinking container fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a two handed drinking container fabricated in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of drinking container, generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.

Structure and Relationship of Parts:

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown drinking container 10, including a cylindrical body 12 that has a continuous peripheral sidewall 14 with a closed bottom 16. Together, these define an interior liquid retaining receptacle 18. Peripheral sidewall 14 has an exterior surface 20, and body 12 has an axis 22 which is vertically positioned when resting upon bottom 16. There is a finger grip 24, depicted as an arch with an upper end 26 and a lower end 28, adapted to accommodate more that one finger, and positioned on exterior surface 20 of body 12 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axis. There is also a thumb rest 30, depicted as an upwardly curved protruding member, adapted to accommodate a thumb, and positioned on exterior surface 20 of body 12 above and toward upper end 26 of finger grip 24.

Operation:

The use of drinking container 10 will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. Drinking container 10 is provided as described above. Liquid retaining receptacle 18 is filled with liquid. The user grips container 10 by curling their fingers under finger grip 24, and placing their thumb on thumb rest 30. By applying a force down on thumb rest 30, and upward on finger grip 24, body 12 is held by the user.

Variations:

Although the drinking container illustrated and described in relation to FIG. 1 has the finger grip positioned at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axis, it will be appreciated that the finger grip 24 could be positioned at an angle of other than 45 degrees. It is believed that an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees would be workable.

The drinking container illustrated and described in relation to FIG. 1 is a right handed drinking container. Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated how the same teachings can be used to fabricate a left handed drinking container. On FIG. 2, all features are identical with the exception of the side of drinking container 10 on which finger grip 24 and thumb rest 30 are located. In view of this, the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same features.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated how the same teachings can be used to fabricated a two handed drinking container. On FIG. 3, all features are identical with the exception of the side of drinking container 10 on which finger grip 24 and thumb rest 30 are located. In view of this, the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same features; with the exception that an “R” has been placed behind the reference numerals for the right handed finger grip and right handed thumb rest features and an “L” has been placed behind the reference numerals for the left handed finger grip and left handed thumb rest.

A drinking container has been selected solely for purposes of illustration. It will be appreciated that the container could be a serving container, which is used to hold vegetables or fruit. The container could also be a sifter, which is used to sift flour or other granular matter. Although the present invention was developed for domestic uses, there may be uses in industry for containers having such a handle configuration.

In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims. 

1. A container, comprising: a body having a continuous peripheral sidewall with a bottom that together define an interior receptacle, the peripheral sidewall having an exterior surface, the body having an axis which is vertically positioned when resting upon the bottom; a finger grip, adapted to accommodate more that one finger, positioned on the exterior surface of the body at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the axis, the finger grip having an upper end and a lower end; and a thumb rest, adapted to accommodate a thumb, positioned on the exterior surface of the body above and toward the upper end of the finger grip.
 2. The container as defined in claim 1, wherein the finger grip is an arch.
 3. The container as defined in claim 1, wherein thumb rest is an upwardly curved protruding member.
 4. The container as defined in claim 1, wherein the finger grip and the thumb rest are arranged to accommodate a right hand.
 5. The container as defined in claim 1, wherein the finger grip and the thumb rest are arranged to accommodate a left hand.
 6. The container as defined in claim 1, wherein the body is cylindrical.
 7. The container as defined in claim 1, wherein the finger grip is disposed at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the axis.
 8. A container, comprising: a cylindrical body having a continuous peripheral sidewall with a closed bottom that together define an interior receptacle, the peripheral sidewall having an exterior surface, the body having an axis which is vertically positioned when resting upon the bottom; a finger grip, adapted to accommodate more that one finger, positioned on the exterior surface of the body at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axis, the finger grip having an upper end and a lower end; and a thumb rest, adapted to accommodate a thumb, positioned on the exterior surface of the body above and toward the upper end of the finger grip.
 9. The container as defined in claim 8, wherein the finger grip is an arch.
 10. The container as defined in claim 8, wherein thumb rest is an upwardly curved protruding member.
 11. A container, comprising: a body having a continuous peripheral sidewall with a closed bottom that together define an interior receptacle, the peripheral sidewall having an exterior surface, the body having an axis which is vertically positioned when resting upon the bottom; a left handed finger grip, adapted to accommodate more that one finger, positioned on the exterior surface of the body at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the axis, the let handed finger grip having an upper end and a lower end; a left thumb rest, adapted to accommodate a thumb, positioned on the exterior surface of the body above and toward the upper end of the left handed finger grip. a right handed finger grip, adapted to accommodate more that one finger, positioned on the exterior surface of the body at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the axis, the right handed finger grip having an upper end and a lower end; and a right thumb rest, adapted to accommodate a thumb, positioned on the exterior surface of the body above and toward the upper end of the right handed finger grip.
 12. The container as defined in claim 11, wherein the finger grip is an arch.
 13. The container as defined in claim 11, wherein thumb rest is an upwardly curved protruding member.
 14. A container, comprising: a cylindrical body having a continuous peripheral sidewall with a closed bottom that together define an interior liquid retaining receptacle, the peripheral sidewall having an exterior surface, the body having an axis which is vertically positioned when resting upon the bottom; a left handed finger grip, adapted to accommodate more that one finger, positioned on the exterior surface of the body at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axis, the left handed finger grip having an upper end and a lower end; a left thumb rest, adapted to accommodate a thumb, positioned on the exterior surface of the body above and toward the upper end of the left handed finger grip; a right handed finger grip, adapted to accommodate more that one finger, positioned on the exterior surface of the body at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axis, the right handed finger grip having an upper end and a lower end; and a right thumb rest, adapted to accommodate a thumb, positioned on the exterior surface of the body above and toward the upper end of the right handed finger grip.
 15. The container as defined in claim 14, wherein the finger grip is an arch.
 16. The container as defined in claim 14, wherein thumb rest is an upwardly curved protruding member. 